Verse for Today - Psalm 18:1 How We Ought to Think of God

"I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

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Read all of Psalm 18

Psalm 18 begins with this preface... which is part of the inspired text: 

"To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:...."

In other words the Psalm is a memorial to his escape from his enemies.  Notice he doesn't give himself the credit... his cunning, speed, agility or strength.   Even though he may have had those, he gives credit to God.

He begins with words of affection... even love. "I love you, LORD, my strength."   His words are (as are ours) a reflection of his heart.  He recognizes that God's grace has brought him safe thus far and rightly says so.

This leads into a string of affirmations that further describes David's understand of God.  This is valuable for us to think about, because God doesn't change.  As He was David's God, He has become our God.  Just think... He is our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer.  Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we find protection and a sure place of safety.  Nothing in all creation can loosen His grip upon those who come to Him with sincere faith.  In Christ, the promise has become reality.  

Remember Romans 8:38,39   "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Amen.

Verse for Today - 1 Peter 5:8-9 (Click for mini-blog)

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

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What does the world do with a verse like this?  Probably nothing.  Depending how they see they world, they might think there’s no need to be alert and watchful.  From their perspective they might think that Satan and evil beings don’t exist.

What do Christians do with a verse like this?  It’s something we should think about.  Sometimes Satan pretends to be an Angel of Light (see 2 Corinthians 10) and sounds almost Christian.  He uses deception and seduction to fool people into thinking they’re with him on God’s side when they’re not.  Of this sort are pastors who make you feel good about yourself and entice you with promises of wealth, success and happiness.  They won’t tell you to deny yourself, take up your cross and be ready to suffer for Christ. 

In Verses 8 and 9 we’re warned that sometimes Satan doesn’t pretend at all.  He hates God and he hates devoted Christians (see Rev. 12:17).  Sometimes he can ruthlessly persecute and crush them, seemingly at will.  What should Christians do when confronted with evil in this way?  

ANSWER: “Be watchful and sober minded.”  “Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”  Stand against evil and the Evil One and you have done your job.  In the last part of the verse he connects our trials to those of others around the world… and perhaps throughout history.  With faithful devotion, God will be pleased to either rescue us or welcome us into his eternal kingdom.  Those with genuine faith trust their heavenly Father to provide for them in this life and in the life to come.

Verse for Today - Psalm 66:1-4 (click to read mini-blog)

"Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!  Sing out the honor of His name; make His praise glorious. 

Say to God, 'How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power your enemies shall submit themselves to You.  All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You; they shall sing praises to Your name.'”

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Read all of Psalm 66

In many places throughout the Psalms we're told to sing, praise, bow down and worship the LORD, and even to shout, glory and tremble before Him.  We were created for no less, and such we should do.

In distinction from these general or broader exhortations, These first verses of Psalm 66 are quite particular.  They not only provide an exhortation to us as God's people to shout and sing to the Lord, and to make His praise glorious, they also provide some of the content of what we should say.  I don't know that this is a really big deal, but it seems to me that if we're told to do or say something like this, we should probably do it.  I think it's sort of like the Lord's Prayer.  It's not the only prayer we should pray, but certainly it is a prayer that we should pray fairly frequently (daily?). 

There are only a few other places where we are told explicitly what to say.    If my count is right, I think it's only four times in the Book of Psalms (Psalm 40:16, here, Psalm 70:4, and Psalm 96:10).   Each of these urge us to recognize God's great power and glory and to vocalize our recognition it.

I suppose this raises a pretty valid question, when was the last time you've said these (or similar) things to God?  By yourself in prayer?  In the assembly of public worship with your brethren?   And if you've not, it's time you should.

As I think about this... maybe the Conclusion to the Lord's Prayer insures that we think and address these things properly:

"For Thine is the Kingdom, and Power and the Glory Forever.  AMEN." 

Verse for Today - Psalm 46:10

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

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Read all of Psalm 46

This Psalm gives us a glimpse behind the scenes of time and history.  Almost by definition we look at life and our place in it from the perspective of day to day life.  Psalm 46 urges us to look higher.  To see that God is exalted above all and fulfilling the purposes of His holy will.  

Despite the fact that the earth and our lives in it can be hectic and hard... and even appear hopeless.... "though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea..."  

We are told to remember that the LORD is God.... that our Refuge and Strength, our Fortress is with us.   He provides comfort and hope for His People, His Church.  These are ones that God loves and love God.   An important consideration!

We're then told to be still...  to be quiet... to be silent.   And then we're exhorted to know (remember) that God is God.  Ironic in a way... we're commanded to do what we should do by definition.  He will vindicate Himself and His Name among the nations.    He will be exalted in the earth.  

Reminds me of Philippians 2:9-11 

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

    and gave him the name that is above every name, 

 

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

 

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, 

    to the glory of God the Father."

Verse for Today - Mark 8:36

"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"

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Read all of Mark 8

These semi-familiar words of Jesus strike at the heart of human existence.  Almost everyone everywhere evaluates their success or importance by material wealth.  To some extent this is probably true for each of us.   Advertisers know well how easily we are led along.  If only we had the next, new, better, shiny, even useful new thing, then we would be happy... or at least happier than we are right now.  If you think about it you know this isn't really true.  Material things and improved appearance won't make you happy...in fact they can't make you happy.

We are not random compilations of DNA.  No, we are special creations of Almighty God.  In fact, we were all created in the image of God Himself.  To suppose that we could find the fullest expression of earthly happiness apart from God is to not be thinking too clearly.  The Apostle Paul speaks of this inRomans 1:25, where he says unbelieving people "exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."

So what does this have to do with Mark 8:36?  Well, I'm just agreeing with Jesus.  It does NOT profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul.   Instead, all should humble themselves before God, confess their sins and pray to Him for grace and forgiveness through His Son, the only Savior Jesus Christ.  

If you have questions, I know the One with the answers (and I'm sharing).

-- 

Verse for Today - Psalm 19:1,2 (click to read mini-blog)

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

^{Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge."}

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Read all of Psalm 19

The first few verses of Psalm 19 affirm what is called "general revelation," that God has revealed Himself in the very fabric of life and the world in which we live.  Throughout the ages people have recognized their smallness and God's greatness, glory and power, when they look at the world around them (and via microscopes within them).

Yes, there are some who come to other conclusions, but "we have an app for that" (an explanation).  God made mankind and the world very good.  But our first parents, Adam and Eve under the instigation of the Devil, ate of the tree of which God said they should not (the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil).  As a result they brought spiritual blindness and death upon themselves and their posterity.

So, from the viewpoint of the Bible, it is the fool who concludes that there is not God and those with clouded judgement who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.  This is because they fail to fulfill their high and holy calling of living in fellowship with the God who made them.  

 

That this is so is affirmed in Romans 1:21 "because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

 

I guess the question for us all is, "Are we thankful to God and glorifying Him as God?"  

If not... why not?

Verse for Today - Ephesians 3:17b-19 (click to read mini-blog)

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

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Read all of Ephesians 3

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This out-of-place benediction is found in the middle of Ephesians 3.  The Apostle Paul has been expounding the outworking of the God's redemptive plan.  From the beginning He was planning to extend his transforming grace to people of every race, language and location around the world.  For a time, the Nation of Israel (the offspring of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) were THE covenant people of God... but now through the Gospel of Christ, the People of God has been expanded to include believers from every race and place.  Those of Hebrew descent are now just a part (albeit the root) of God's cosmopolitan global congregation, His Church.

This is the MYSTERY we read about at several points in the Book of Ephesians (1:9, 3:3, 3:4, and 3:9)... The Creator of all, is the Lord of all, and the God of all... and by His Sovereign grace calls them (and brings them) to Himself through His Son, the Savior Jesus Christ. 

I don't know a better way to conclude that with the verses just preceding Today's Verse:  

^"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;"  Ephesians 3:14-17

 This is my prayer for you too.

Verse for Today - Romans 12:12 (click to read mini-Blog)

Romans 12:12

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

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Read all of Romans 12

This verse was forwarded to me from Biblegateway.com and I'm forwarding it to you.   :)   As a whole Romans chapter 12 is describing and urging believers to properly live-out the Christian life.  Some of the commands are negative, describing what they should NOT do, but many are positive describing appropriate actions and steps that should be taken.  

As a rule the Scriptures meet us where we are.  They tell us to do things we tend not to do; and to not dothings that we tend to do (reread that).  This is especially the case in the three exhortations of verse 12.  "Joyful in hope"... be joyful about waiting for the thing you're waiting for.  "Patient in affliction"... I really do not like my present trials, but I will be patient. 

And finally (and appropriately as its the National Day of Prayer)... "faithful in prayer".  Do we really have to pray and spend time in prayer?  Just depends.  What does it mean to be "faithful" in prayer?  Certainly it means being earnest and consistent in praying.  Let's be hearers and doers of the Word.

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Quotation: "Worry is not believing God will get it right, and bitterness is believing God got it wrong."   Tim Keller

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Verse for Today - Romans 8:1,2 (click to read mini-Blog)

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 

because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you 

free from the law of sin and death."

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Read all of Romans 8

Not only were the Scriptures first written in Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT), they also use words and concepts that sometimes escape our understanding.  For instance, Today's Verse says that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  While many would objectively hope and grant that this statement is TRUE, to be fully appreciated it needs to be heard with the awareness of one's sin and guilt before God.  

In verse 2 we read about "the law of sin and death." What is that law?  It is the humanly unbreakable connection between sinning/being a sinner and being punished for that sin.  Whether you think of this in terms of the Fall, "on the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" or Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death...." the law or rule convicts sinners of both their guilt (fact of sin) and their misery (its consequence).

The Good News (literally the Gospel) is that  this  "law" or unbreakable connection between sin-and-punishment has been overcome by Christ Jesus Himself.  

This should make guilty (but forgiven) sinners like us pretty happy.

Verse for Today - Romans 10:9-10 (click to read mini-blog)

"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

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Read all of Romans 10

These verses from Romans 10 are HUGE.  They proclaim several of the key elements to true or saving faith.  We don't find here a magic formula, which if we say or do it just right can change our relationship to God.  No, we read here about what saving faith looks and sounds like.

It really just confirms the words that Jesus himself had taught.  "From the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks."  In Mark 7 where this verse is found, he is telling his listeners how uncleanness (or evil-ness) does not come from the outside and defile us... it actually arises from within us.   

Well, Today's Verse shows that this works both ways.  If the heart is renewed--born again, and now believes that God raised up the Lord Jesus, "the mouth" will proclaim its allegiance by saying "Jesus is Lord."   It is in this way that you believe and are justified and profess with your mouth and are saved.  PTL.  :)

Have a great weekend.

Verse for Today - Isaiah 53:5-6

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

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Read all of Isaiah 53

As we read these verses from Isaiah 53, it's amazing to think they were written 7-800 years before Jesus of Nazareth was born, lived and died.  This remarkable truth has to be responded to... somehow?  Either it adds conviction and thus comfort, by testifying to the historic prophecies fulfilled by Christ; OR it has to be rejected all together... relegated as either a forgery or maybe a pure coincidence.  

Interestingly, this passage from Isaiah is found in the Dead Sea Scrolls.... which pre-date the life of Christ.  That sort of rules out the possibility of it being forgery.  That leaves the possibility of all this being "a pure coincidence." 

It is clear that Jesus viewed himself as the Messiah sent to suffer and die for the sins of His people, "the Son of Man came to seek and so save that which was lost."    He was viewed by many of his contemporaries and especially His followers as the Christ, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

You dear reader should think about this (John 20:30,31):  

^"And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."

Verse for Today - I Timothy 2:5,6 (Click to read mini-blog)

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time."

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Read all of 1 Timothy 2

This verse says a lot.  There is One God. Ever important to remember... the doctrine of the Trinity is not something we can gloss over or relegate to the past.  It is rooted... grounded in the pages of Scripture.  There is one God... and one Mediator between God and man... the man Jesus Christ.   This Man... is the second person of the God-head.  He is revealed as both true God and true and righteous man.  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).  

What do we do?  We hold to the Truth as it's revealed in Scripture...  we compare Scripture with Scripture... and believe what it says.  Sometimes we hold parallel truths that might seem contradictory or are at least beyond our ability to grasp.  That's OK.  Our minds or intellects are not the standard by which God or His Word are judged.  Sometimes (actually always) we just need bow our heads and bend our knees in worship.  

Then--and only then--have we really listened a right.  

Verse for Today - Ephesians 6:10-11 (Click link to Read mini-Blog)

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."

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Read all of Ephesians 6

This verse begins the final section of the Epistle to the Ephesians.  It's the section that talks about our need of spiritual armor to fend off the wily attacks of Satan and the world.  Verse 10 begins with a pretty bold assertion.  "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."  Of course this is probably easier said than done.  It seems there's always a tension between knowing what we're supposed to do and doing it.

Well, as this section unfolds we are given some pretty good clues about how we might do the things we're supposed to do.  We are to "put on the full armor of God."  After we're given this command we're told that this armor is essential in standing up to the devil's schemes.  Another way of saying this is that if we don't put on the armor and rely wholly upon the Lord, we will fall.  These verses shouldn't make us live in fear of Satan, but they should make us draw closer to God for his protection.  AND if we're going to draw near for his protection, it means that we had best be sure we're keeping "in step with the Spirit" by hearing and heeding His Words.  

Think also of the Lord's prayer and the Sixth Petition.  "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."  Now think about this just a moment.  We're taught to pray (even commanded to pray) for God's protection and then we're commanded to do the very things that will provide for our protection.  Something to think about.  

Verse for Today - Psalm 23:1-3

" The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake. "

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Read all of Psalm 23

There's something to be said for beautiful simplicity.  Psalm 23 is probably one of the most widely known and memorized Psalms.  What do we learn from these three verses?

1. God Almighty is like a shepherd to us. What do shepherds do?  They lead the sheep where they go.  They keep them safe from natural dangers and wily predators.

2. The Psalmist is speaking of his relationship to and dependence upon the Lord.  On the basis of this relationship he affirms that all that he needs has been supplied.  The first verse is really a look back over life.  The Lord has taken care of me in the past, and on this he trusts in what the Lord will provide in the future.

3.  The references to green pastures and quiet waters indicate the supply of needs.  They refresh his soul.

4. The Psalmist trusts the Shepherd completely.  He trusts that the Shepherd knows what he's doing... and more... He recognizes that the Shepherd has a vested interest in the sheep.  He provides, cares for and protects the sheep... "For His name's sake."  God has identified himself with His people. 

If then in OT times, how much more now that Christ has come and His Spirit given to indwell his people.  Amen? 

Verse for Today - Acts 4:10,12 (click to read min0-blog)

Acts 4:10,12

"then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.... Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

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Read all of Acts 4

These verses are part of the foundation on which the Christian Church is built.  The first verse is part of the Apostle Peter's explanation of the healing of the lame man.  The issue wasn't if a miracle had been done.  It had.  The question was "How did it happen?" or "By whose power?"  Peter makes clear it was NOT by his power or will, but that of the risen Christ, the Lord Jesus of Nazareth.  

The second verse affirms the exclusiveness of Christ.  Jesus was and is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  He is the the only way to God the Father.

Established then.  1. Jesus was alive and He was powerful. 2. Jesus is the one from whom forgiveness of sins and salvation should be sought.

I Timothy 2:5 makes a similar point: 

 "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and man, the Man Jesus Christ."

Verse for Today - 2 Peter 1:5-8 (click to read explanation)

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

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Read all of 2 Peter 1

These verses from 2 Peter are pretty direct.  He is not describing how we can or might be saved, but rather how we as believers--who've been redeemed by the grace of God through Christ's death on the cross-- should strive to live.  

First off there is a string of qualities that becomes our bulls-eye in living out the Christian life.  These don't just happen.  They are the result of earnest prayer and effort.  Will we do these perfectly?  Not likely, but it does become the standard by which we measure ourselves.  This is where the second sentence comes in... that if we see these qualities growing within ourselves, we will know we are on the right road and making progress in living for Christ.  The big word that describes this process of becoming more faithful and fruitful is sanctification.

However, we should not go too easy on ourselves... you know right a way thinking that mediocrity and half-hearted devotion is OK.  Peter follows these verses with a pretty sharp warning:

^9 "For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins."